Resurfacing and Age

[jojo]

Good Morning!
My husband, age 63, is looking forward to having hip replacement.  He is very interested in the resurfacing instead, but wondering about his age.  He is normally very active physically (has not been in last few months) and other than the hip, he is in great health!  He has slight deformity in that the ball of the leg bone does not fit properly and has worn down over the years.
We are thinking about seeing physician at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis.  Thoughts??
Thanks!
Lynne

[Pat Walter]

Hello Lynne

Welcome to Hip Talk.

Age is not the normal determining factor when considering hip resurfacing.  Many people in their 60's and even 70's have had hip resurfacing. This is a small informal survery of ages of surface hippies from the Yahoo Surface Hippy Discussion Group  http://www.surfacehippy.info/agesurvey.php  You can see quite a few older people. Some men are resurfaced in their 70's if they are active.  Here is David Lorie's story http://www.surfacehippy.info/davidlourie.php  I also know Dr. De Smet did one man that was 75.

The determining factor is your bone density.  Most surgeons can determine if you are a candidate from your x-rays.  Some of the US doctors will ask for bone scans.

Unfortunately when you have hip problems, you become very inactive. That is pretty standard for most of us.  I was 61 when I had my hip resurfacing and did have some lost of bone density.  Dr. De Smet told me that walking would build bone density back up for me since it is a weight bearing activity.  So even if you husband has some bone loss, he should be able to walk after his surgery and increase it again.

If he has a slight deformity in the ball, I would suggest that he use a very experienced surgeon.  Hip Resurfacing is almost as much an art as a skill.  The angles of the hip devices must be placed just right to prevent future problems.  I have a list showing which doctors are more experienced http://www.surfacehippy.info/doctorstatistics.php  Sometimes the newer doctors to resurfacing will often incourage you to go with a THR since they don't want to do a difficult hip resurfacing.  Be sure to ask your doctors how many hip resurfacings he has done and how many femur neck fractures have occured.  Also how many infections.  These are very important to know and your doctors should share that information willingly and pleasantly. If he doesn't, find another doctor. 

Dr. De Smet, Bose, Gross and some of the new doctors will give you a consultation via email if you send them your x-rays as an attachement to the email in a .jpg format.  Their consultations are free.  Many of the newer doctors charge quite a bit.  If you have insurance, that is probably not a problem. But it is nice that some of the best surgeons in the world will give you free email consultations.  Many of us that had to travel overseas only had contact with our doctors via email. They are very quick in answering any and all quesitons.  Quite different than the US doctors.

Since your hubby is active, be sure to try and find a doctor that is very pro hip resurfacing.  Hip resurfacing will allow him to become active again without any restrictions and no worry about dislocation.  Also with a hip resurfacing, you still have your femur bone in place so if or when you need a revision, you can easily have one done.

I hope that helps a bit.  Keep in touch.  You can email me privately if you feel the need.  pwalter@surfacehippy.info   

Good Luck.

Pat